14TH WIS. VET. VOL. INFANTRY (GENERAL A. J.
SMITH'S COMMAND) IN THE EXPEDITION & BATTLE OF TUPELO

973.74

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1757937

REYNOLDS HISTORICAL
GENEALOGY COLLECTION

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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 1833 00821 7801

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012

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The Fourteenth

Wisconsin ¥et,"M Infantry

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(Ger|erai A. J. Smith's Comm^d.)

IN THE

Expedition and Battle of Tupelo;

ALSO,

jerings Through I'qe Wilds of Missouri and Arkansas
Pursuit of Price.

--F.Y-

W. H. TUCKER,

SERGEANT Company " O." INDIANAPOLIS, 1m;i\n.\.

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F TUCKER, WILLIAM HOWARD.

8349 The Fourteenth Wisconsin vet. vol. infantry
.9862 (General A.J.Smith's command) in the expedition
and "battle of Tupelo; also, Wanderings through
the wilds of Missouri and Arkansas in pursuit of
Price. ^Indianapolis ,Ind. ,F.E.Engle & son,
1892?D

3Cp. 22£cm.

Running title: The Fourteenth Wisconsin from
Red river to Nashville.

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Wielxetta Tucker.

From a photograph taken in the campaign of isss, from Indiana to the
White House.

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DESIGNED AND P KIN TED BY

F. E. ENGLE ,\: SON.

10 NORTH DELAWARE STREET,

INDIANAPOLIS. INI).

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The Fourteenth Wisconsin

FROM

RED RIVER TO NASHVILLE.

Comrades of the Fourteenth, Wisconsin

Veteran Volunteers Association;

Your Committee on Entertainment for the fifth
annual reunion, to be held at Omro, Wisconsin, June
14th, 15th and 16th, detailed me for the special duty of
preparing- and reading-, at this time, a paper on the
expedition and battle of Tupelo. This I have
extended to the pursuit of Price, through Arkansas
and Missouri, and our journey to Nashville. You
must understand that the preparation of such a
paper on an event having- taken place -twenty-eight
years ag'o, and no memoranda or data to which to refer,
has been a tedious task. If you find I have made
some mistakes in what I shall read, do not criticise,
but each of you go home and write the case up to
suit yourselves. I was then only twenty years of
age, and but a soldier in the ranks, and thus my
opportunities for observation were somewhat limited.

I think it was about June 3d, 1864, we landed at
Memphis from the Great Red River Campaign, where
we had been since early in March, with A. J. Smith's
command. This consisted of old veteran regiments
from the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps — men

4 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN.

who had seen service at Belmont, Springfield, Pea1
Ridge, Henry, Donaldson, Shiloh, Iuka, Corinth, Cold-
water, Hatchie, Chicasaw, Port Gibson, Raymond,
Champion Hill, Big- Black, Vicksburg-. Fort DeRussa,
Pleasant Hill Landing, Cormargo Cross Roads.
Clouterville, Cane River, Marksville, and Yellow
Bayou.

We went into camp to the south-east of Memphis
on the outskirts of the city, in a nice grove of timber.
Our regiment was, at this time, about three hundred
and fifty strong". Half of this number were recruits
who joined lis when at home on our veteran furlough.
From th^n until the last of June our time was occu-
pied in doing- picket and such other duties as usually
falls to the soldier's camp life.

While here we were called out about the middle of
June, to witness the execution of three soldiers, cav-
alry men from Xew Jersey and Pennsylvania regi-
ments, who had been adjudged guilty of violating
some g-eneral orders. Whether the sentence was just or
not, we could not tell, but the general impression held
was that the execution was wrong*. With other troops
amounting* to from four to six thousand, we formed
three sides of a square. Fort Pickering-, just south of
the city on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi
River, formed the fourth side. We were arranged in
two lines facing inward. The condemed soldiers with
their hands tied behind them, accompanied by priests,
marched behind their respective coffins. They were
preceded by a band <>t music, playing the death
march. They passed through the lines, around the
square, in solemn review, between the troops. Then

() THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

they were taken to the center of the square with their
backs to the fort, and were blindfolded, after which
a signal was given, by the dropping" of a handkerchief.
Each sitting on his coffin was shot dead by a detach-
ment of the Eighth Iowa Infantry. Thus ended this
sad scene, and the only one ever witnessed by the
Fourteenth Wisconsin during" our term of service.

General Washburn, one of the g*reat failures of
the war, was in command of the department at Mem-
phis. However the rebel General Forrest held him
strictly to his headquarters. Upon our arrival at
Memphis a few of -Smith's veteran reg'iments were
detailed to accompany that poor excuse of a General,
Sturg'is. to g-o out and engage Forrest and prevent
him with his command from g'oing" to annoy Sherman,
who was at this time advancing- on Atlanta. Fortu-
nately the Fourteenth escaped this fatal expedition,
for which we were ever indebted to Colonel Ward,
who was then commanding- our brigade, and to Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Pol leys, who was in command of the
regiment.

The battle took place one hundred and thirtv miles
from Memphis, at Bryce's Cross Roads, near Gun
Town, Mississippi, June 10th; Sturgis was badly de-
feated, losing his train consisting of fourteen pieces of
artillery, two hundred and fifty wagons, well loaded
with ammunition and ten day's rations. His loss in
killed and wounded was twenty-three officers and
five hundred and ninty-four men; captured and miss-
ing", fifty-two officer^ and <>ne thousand five hundred
and sewnty-one men; making a total loss of two
thousand two hundred and Forty. The reports show

FROM RED RIVER TO NASHVILLE. /

that Sturgis, together with Grierson's cavalry divi-
sion, numbered not less than eight or nine thousand,
while Forrest did not have at the time to exceed four
thousand. Sturgis put his men into battle and had
them defeated by detail. No censure could be too
great for him and Washburn. One redeeming feature
to this, the only defeat to our arms in the south-west
from Camp Jackson to Mobile, is the fact that Sturgis
was an importation from the east and a West Pointer.
Washburn, who was in command of the District,
should be in a great part held, individually responsi-
ble for this defeat. It is necessary to refer to the
complete destruction of this expedition, in order to
show our surroundings at the time we started out
from Memphis under Smith. Our aim being to
engage and whip Forrest, should he give battle, and
to destroy the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.

June 27th, we start on what is known as the
Tupelo expedition, taking no camp equipage. The
wreck of Sturgis's army had now returned from
the Gun Town disaster. We marched to LaGrange,
Tennessee., where Smith was to unite his command
with Grierson's cavalry. The two combined would
amount to eleven or twelve thousand, including twenty
pieces of artillery.

Smith was to move south from LaGrange, to find
Forrest and give him battle. On our route out from
Memphis, we frequently saw indications of Sturgis's
wrecked army strewn along the roadway. We were
now inarching over the same route the Fourteenth
had traveled in the late fall of 1802. At that time
we were on our way to Memphis from the Central

8 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

Mississippi campaign, en route to Vicksburg via
Memphis and the Mississippi River.

On our march to LaGrange we passed through
the little towns of Colliersville, Moscow and other
points familiar to the old veterans of the regiment.
Many of the Fourteenth boys renewed their acquaint-
ance formed on our previous trips through this coun-
try. Here, it will be proper to say, that the boys of
the Fourteenth were noted for their adaptability for
forming- acquaintance with the natives. They never
passed through a country without becoming familiar
with every sweet potato patch, every chicken roost,
and every snioke house for miles around, which nat-
urally brought the boys in close contact with the
natives.

.This march was a hard one, dry, dusty and hot.
The night we reached LaGrange, fifty-five miles east
of Memphis, not one-fourth of the regiment stacked
arms. The boys had fallen out along the route, but all
came in during the night. We went into camp on a
high ridge about three-fourths of a mile from a small
stream of water. This was July the 2d, I believe.
The next day or two we enjoyed ourselves, cleaning
up and preparing for the future campaign.

On the morning of July 5th. having celebrated the
Fourth, we moved south, with Grierson's division of
cavalry. General J. A. Mower and Colonel David
Moore, old veteran fighters, commanded the two
divisions of infantry add artillery and Colonel Edward
Bout on, a brigade pf colored troops. In all there were
about twelve thousand men and twenty pieces of artil-
lery. We pushed on day after day with Forrest

FROM KED RIVER TO NASHVILLE. V

hovering on our front and flanks. Forrest's command
was composed of mounted infantry and numbered
twelve or fourteen thousand. Grierson, with the
cavalry, was in the advance and protected our flanks.
They had frequent skirmishes each day.

On the 11th the cavalry had a heavy skirmish.
The infantry did not get into action. Forrest was
driven back and throtig*h the village of Pontotoc,
Mississippi. Our regiment went into camp that

evening-, the 11th, on the south side of Pontotoc. We
had now reached a point within striking- distance of
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.

Earlv on the morning- of the 13th we moved out
of Pontotoc eastward, aiming* to strike the railroad at
Tupelo, nineteen miles distance. Thereby flanking"
Forrest, who was then with his army in a good fight-
ing position some nine or ten miles to the south await-
ing* Smith. Forrest discovered this move and started
to intercept us before we could reach the railroad,
which he did some five miles from Tupelo. He made
an attack upon Mower's division a part of which was
in the rear and guarding* the wagon train. Our bri-
agde was along* side of the train guarding the same,
which was well loaded with ammunition, but at this
time with very little to eat'. After continuing the
march for a few miles eastward, we passed a small
open field on our right, while on our left was heavy
timber. Passing the Held the road was then through
a belt of timber en either side. The country here \va>
slightly rolling*. A part of the regiment had passed
the open held. A quarter of a mile in advance, a
wagron road branched off to the right, towards the

10 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

village of Tupelo. On this road Forrest had sent a
division of cavalry to cut off our train from the main
army, which was in the advance. He had also formed
a line on our right, parallel to the road on which we
were marching, and not more than two or three hun-
dred feet from us. The underbrush was thick which
gave then good cover from our view. All at once,
bang, bang, whiz, whiz came the minnie balls thick
and fast. Every mule was on his ear, but no stam-
pede. We were penned in. rebs to the front, rebs on
the right, and in the rear, and heavy timber on the
left, nothing now but fight, and light it was. We
could only see a very short distance on account of the
timber and underbrush, but from their firing we
located their line pretty well. They had us at a great
disadvantage, and after a brave and determined stand,
bv greneral consent we made a charge, driving" them
with considerable loss.

At the edge of the field, by the rail fence, a rebel
battle flag was captured. Either Captain Kennealy
or Captain Mansfield took the flag. It matters but
little which grasped it first ; both were at the extreme
front, and each is entitled to the trophy. We fired
about sixteen rounds each. Our loss was slight, as
they lired over us. I have often thought it was a
wonder we were not all killed or taken prisoners. We
saved the train and drove them back. I think at this
time. a thermometer would have registered 130 in the
shade. From the dust and powder smoke we could
have passed for a gang of contrabands. Reinforce-
ments were sent back, but we had saved the train,
and the colored brigade in the rear were well protect-

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THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

ing- that end of the line. We g*ot the wagons all

shaped tip and moved on our journey. About dark we
encamped at Harrisburg, a small hamlet but a short
distance from Tupelo.

Smith had chosen a gnood position and placed his
arm_v in line of battle. The road we were marching* on

( the Pontotoc ) led
through the center
of the position se-
lected for the bat-
tle, should one be
offered. It was a
long- ridge sparsely
covered with scat-
tering* trees, and
faced a large open-
ing of cotton and
REBBLE BATTLE FLAG. corn fields ; on the
other side was heavy timber. This opening
was from a half mile to a mile wide. Moore's
division was placed on the left of the road,
facing* the country over which we had traveled.
Mower's division on the right, and the Fourteenth
taking- a position in the line a little to the right of the
road, facing south. Here we remained for the night
with a strong- picket line out, something- quite neces-
sary at that time. Next morning, July 14th, about six
o'clock, Forrest made his fierce attack, the brunt of
the attack falling- on Moore's division, to our left.
Brut with all of his desperation, and his men Bushed
with pride over the Gun Town victory, he failed to
have any effect in breaking- Moore's lines. For-

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14 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

rest's men made repeated charges, but were each
time driven back with heavy losses. During- the
interruptions the artillery from both sides made it
quite lively. For two hours the struggle continued
until Moore had driven Forrest from his front, leav-
ing the ground covered with their dead and dying.
Forrest then moved back into the edge of the timber,
and in plain view moved his lines to the left over in
front of our position. We watched their move, which
at times seemed that they were in a confused condition.
After having manoeuvred for some time to our admi-
ration, and wonder whether they contemplated cross-
ing the opening in our front, they in good line came
sweeping down on our division through the corn and
cotton fields in grand shape. Our lines were lying flat
on the ground and breathlessly waited for them to come
up. Our skirmishers were hurriedly driven in, and we
held our fire until. Forrest's men were quite near. We
then opened upon them with musketry and canister
from our artillery. Human beings could not stand
such a storm of shot and shell. Their line wavered a
moment, then fell back ; we charged them, taking some
prisoners. After falling back they again formed and
made further assaults, but nothing like the first, our
line from right to left repelling every attack'. When
Mower ordered his division to advance and charge, it
was a grand sight. At last Forrest was driven into
the woods, and his men all having their horses at
hand, it was useless to pursue them. They left all of
their dead and most of their wounded in our hands.
The rest of the afternoon was occupied in bringing" in
and caring for the wounded of both armies. Smith's loss

FROM RED RIVER TO NASHVILLE. 15

was about eight hundred killed and wounded. For-
rest's los"s was, according to his official report, one
hundred and fifty-three killed, eight hundred wounded
and two hundred missing-. He is mistaken, for the
best estimate made at the time was that we buried
three hundred of his men. During* this time Grierson
with his cavalry was cutting- and destroying- the rail-
road.

At nine o'clock that night J^orrest rallied his men
and made an attack on our colored brigade, on our ex-
treme left, but finding the colored troops supported by
a line of Smith's veterans, he was soon driven back.
Smith had now completely whipped Forrest, and with
the railroad destroyed, there appeared nothing more to
do, so Smith decided to return to Memphis.

That night the boys lay down pretty well tired
out. Forrest showed up in the morning again on the
left of our line and made another effort to fight the
colored troops, but Smith was at hand, and in person
led them in a charge, driving Forrest from the field,'
which ended the battle of Tupelo.

We then moved back north five miles and went
into camp, after crossing Old Town Creek. We
were just about to settle down to rest when the shells
began to fly over and around us. Forrest having
come up and planted a section of a battery on the
south side of the creek that we had crossed, giving us
a parting- salute. Colonel Ward turned back with our
brig-ade, and as the Fourteenth crossed the creek,
filed off to the right in the timber skirting the creek.
In our front was an open field. Across this, up a raise
of ground, we charged. The rebs then were on the

16 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

opposite side of the field. We drove them readily,
and this was the last. But of all the hard charges
we ever made was crossing* that small field. The
heat was so intense that it seemed that every man
would fall before we reached the opposite side. This
was just before sundown. We then re-crossed the
creek and went into camp. On the following* morn-
ing-, we started and made our way, by easy marches,
back to Memphis. Our supplies having* now been
exhausted, we lived on blackberries and such supplies
as we could g-ather from the country. We reached
Memphis July 25th, ragged, tired and hungry. We
had marched since leaving- Memphis, on June 27th,
over three hundred miles, through a country suffering-
from a severe drouth. Water was at that time hard
to find. The country over which we had traveled
had been marched and counter marched over several
times by both the rebel and federal armies. Thoug-h
a well settled and well cultivated country, at this time
but little was left in the shape of supplies. There
were two things in great demand with Smith's veter-
ans : one was a chance t<> tight, the other an opportu-
nity to get supplies. We wure all glad to return ag-ain
to our camp, for a good rest, which we so much needed
after a hard, but victorious campaign.

Smith was soon ordered with his command to
Arkansas, where the rebel General Price was organ-
izing an army on the liorders of Texas to invade Mis-
souri, and to \:o as far north as possible, St. Louis
was his objective point, and it vya:s also his intention
to hold our western forces from g-oing- to join Sher-
man.

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FROM RED RIVER TO NASHVILLE. 17

About the last of August we embarked on trans-
ports, went clown the Mississippi and up White River
to St. Charles, Arkansas. Here we remained for a few
days, fortifying the place with a strong- line of entrench-
ments. "While we were at St. Charles news came
that Forrest had made a dash into Memphis at an
early hour one morning-. He called on General Wash-
burn, but he, in his nig-ht dress, found a hiding- place in
a chimney corner. This was the last we ever heard
from Washburn. We then went farther up the river
to Duvals Bluff, thence by rail to Brownsville, thirty-
five miles, and twenty-five miles from Little Rock.
Here we remained, waiting- for Price to make his move
to the north. Smith's command was the same as on
the Tupelo expedition, less Grierson's cavalr\\

We now go into camp in old soldier style, a mile
north of the railroad. At this time the health of the
regiment was good. The recruits, who had joined us
when at home on our veteran furlough, had become old
veterans. Our camp equipag*e now, as in the past few
monthsv was limited and not at all cumbersome. We
located in a nice grove of timber and erected our tents
in all shapes and varieties. They were mostly composed
of what was commonly known as pup tents, made of
two pieces of canvass or blankets stretched over a
pole, which rested on two upright supports. "No
dressing* room attached." Usually in going into new
quarters it would take but a day or two to build bake
ovens and get into living- shape. The boys of the
Fourteenth never stopped to consider the length of time
we were to remain in one locality, as that was at all
times quite uncertain. We generally took our chances,

18 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

let it be for one day or for more, our motto was to -
make ourselves as comfortable as possible, and pass
away the weary hours in camp as pleasantly a* we
could, reading", playing various kinds of g'ames, telling
stories, and anxiously waiting- for the mail to come
from home.

Soldiers were at all times anxious to receive a let-
ter. Some were never disappointed and how quick they
would brighten up when the Orderly Sergeant, who
was Company Post Master, came with the mail from
the Chaplain's quarters, and cried out the names of
those who were fortunate enough to receive a letter.
The Chaplain was reg'imental Post Master, (our old
Chaplain, Father Engle, as we called him, still lives
at the age of eighty-four years). How sad those
would look, who looked in vain for a letter and none
came. It was indeed a disappointment to them and
many a tear would come to the eye of those weather-
beaten and battle-scared veterans, when thev turned
away, no news from the loved ones at home. I was
among the fortunate and whenever the mail reached
us, I could at all times rely upon receiving a good
long letter from my mother. Love and kind words
to her soldier boy were a blessing to those who had
left the dear wife at home and let her all go to stand
by the flag, and light his country's battles. She made
a sacrifice more than all the rest, and oh, how anxiously
were letters looked tor from that dear one, none will
ever know except those who looked for them.

Our time in camp was passed in various ways at
this stage of the war. The companies were usuallv,
by consent, divided into squads and put their rations

FROM RED RIVER TO NASHVILLE.

19

together, cooking* to suit themselves. These squads
generally consisted of from two to six. Frequently,
on the least provocation, these groups or squads would
break up in little family rows and form again. Gen-
erally they would, like the Irishman at Donnebrook's
fair after a big' fight, kiss and make it up again. Some
companies would all mess together and have a regular
cook. Sometimes one of the members of the company
would be detailed for this duty. Often a colored indi-
vidual would be pressed into service.

During camp life we were frequently detailed for
some special duty, such as picket, fatig'ue or foraging.
The word forasfingf, as vou all understand, means gfo-
ing beyond the picket lines into the enemy's country
and g-athering supplies, such as sweet potatoes, corn,
chickens, pigs, cattle and old meats, such as hams,
bacon and shoulders. Occasionally the boys would
find tobacco. Of course we would take any thing* we
could make use of. Sometimes on our trips we would

20

THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

come back well loaded, and at other times without any
supplies, and gdad to get back to camp.

While at Brownsville the ldng-looked-for paymas-
ter came. Several months were due and now the boys
were all well supplied with money. Sutlers never
failed to follow the army paymasters, and at this time
they were quite plenty, and at double prices supplied
us with all kinds of delicacies. For a few davs we

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lived well, though, to the credit of the volunteer sol-
diers it can be said, they sent home the greater part of
their money.

Aside from cooking our rations and regular dutv,
the time was usually passed, after the paymaster's
visit, in exchanging money, which was done in the fol-
lowing manner: Some of the more enterprising of the
comrades would take a rubber blanket and mark with
chalk or pencil on the same, the figures trombone to

FROM RED RIVER TO NASHVILLE. 21

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six. These comrades were commonly called bankers.

They would then spread the blanket on the ground
and with a box and three little square blocks with the
corresponding" numbers from one to six on each, give
them a shake. The boys would crowd around and put
their money on selected numbers on the rubber. The
banker would then shake out the little square blocks,'
called dice, should any number show up upon which
money had been placed on the corresponding number on
the rubber, it would win and the banker would pay
over the amount. If the number did not show up, then
the banker raked in the pile. This was called chuck-er-
luck and was,an uncertain game. Sometimes you would
win, but more times lose. Such a game was a trifle
one-sided and in favor of the banker, but usually he
would venture to be one of the boys, and put his money
down on some other fellows rubber and then he would
bust. This amusement was not called gambling, it
was exchanging money. Many of our officers passed
away their time amusing themselves playing that old-
fashioned game, known as poker. It is generally known
in modern times among our fashionable circles as pro-
gressive eucher. Occasionally the boys would g'et
hold of an officer, and, without much persuasion, get
him to take an interest in this little game. He
would of course soon get fleeced out of his last penny,
and then, until the next pay day came, the boys would
help the poor victim, which they were ever ready to
do. They never refused to stand by them as they
were a good lot of fellows, in camp as well as on
march, though they sometimes got among a bad lot of
bovs, who usuallv had a loaded set of dice awaiting"

22 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN.

their coming". Gambling in the army was common.
However, atter the war was over, you would seldom
ever hear of an old soldier as a gambler. It was there
a past-time, though against all rules and orders of
the army. Still it did exist and without any very bad
results. Our volunteer army was the most intelli-
gent army ever marshaled in the history of the world.
When disbanded we went to our homes, and history
shows we have, as a rule, ever been among- our best
citizens of this great and prosperous country, made so
by our loyalty and patroitism to the old Hag", that now
and we trust will ever proudly float over a pros-
perous free, and united country.

After a few days preparing- for an unknown cam-
paign, we are again, September 17th, on the march.

Price avoided this route, going northward a few
miles west of our position. As soon as Price started
Smith commenced his campaign in pursuit. The rebel
army was mounted, and estimated at twenty or
twenty-five thousand, more than twice our numbers.
Had he offered battle. Smith with his veterans, would
have destroyed his army. Our command was in the
very best of lighting condition. Price's armv was
composed of a few veteran regiments, and a lot of con-
scripts, and not well organized. We had no fears of
the results of a pitched battle had Price favored us.
He evidently did not want to chance a battle with
Smith. We were soon on his trail, and though mounted
as he was, we compelled hirti to make quick time.
We marched tor nineteen days over and through a
wild, rough and rugged country, crossing over the
mountains of Arkansas, fording White River, bridging

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24 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

the Little Red, and corduroying- through the almost im-
passable St. Francis River swamps. During the
last ten days we had nothing' to eat except what
corn and pumpkins we could gather from a poor and
sparsely settled country where the natives did not
know whether they lived in Green county or the State
of Arkansas, and where a common Tennessee refugee
would have been fit for a king. They lived through
the summer months on paw-paws, berries and persim-
mons, and in the winter on 'possum and corn dodgers.
They were the most shiftless class of people we had
ever found in all our travels.

After each day's march we would go into camp.
The first thing would be details for picket duty, and
to those who would be called out after a hard day's
march, it was anything- but pleasant. Sometimes we
would get into camp early, sometimes way in the
night. After stacking arms some of the boys would
load up with canteens and go in pursuit of water,
others would gather wood, and soon we would be
cooking' what little we might have to eat. Some
would be so exhausted and tired out that they would
fall asleep ; rest was more needed than something- to
cat.

After several days of hard marching. Smith find-
ing it impossible to overtake Price, though at times
less than one day's march behind him, made a forced
march to Cape Giradeau, Missouri, on the Mississippi
River. Arriving- on the <>th of October, having"
marched nearly four hundred miles. Tired, foot-sore.
ragged and hungry, here we struck the cracker line
and were once more happy. The next day we

FROM RED RIVER TO NASHVILLE. 25

embarked on board transports, and with all speed
hurried up the Mississippi River to St. Louis.
Price, learning' that we had taken transports and had
gotten ahead of him in the race, did not make any at-
tempt to go into St. Louis, but passed around west of
the cit}^ and pulled out for Jefferson City, the capital
of the State.

At no time in the history of St. Louis were visitors
more welcomed, before or since, than Smith's veterans,
commonly known as Smith's Guarrillas. Upon our
reaching* St. Louis all was excitement. Price was but
a few miles away. General Rosecrans was in com-
mand of the ^department, but for some reason the
people did not have much faith in his protection.
His forces consisted of hurriedly gathered together
militia and a few new regiments that had been sent
him from adjoining- States. The timely arrival of
Smith was their salvation. Had Smith failed and not
made the forced marches that he did Price would have
taken St. Louis and ransacked the city. The citi-
zens would have been obliged to respond quickly to a
levy which his troops would have made, and unless
they had, no doubt but that his troops would have des-
troyed St. Louis. Smith, in a conversation, told me,
a few vears afterwards, that upon our arrival he
went to Rosecrans and offered to take his own com-
mand and go out and force Price to give battle. At
this time Price was so situated that he would have been
obliged to fight. Rosecrans asked him what he
would do with his small command, not half as large
as Price's army, if he should get whipped. In Smith's
language, he replied that he would and could whip

26 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN.

h — 1 out of Price, and should not make any arrange-
ments for coming back or for a defeat, if in the event
he should be compelled to come back he would reach
St. Louis in time to keep Price out. Smith was not
permitted to go, and a part of his command was imme-
diately loaded on transports, October 10th, and hurried
off to Jefferson City, arriving- on the 14th or 16th, in
time to save the city. Price went on his way north
by passing around the city, having- learned of our
near approach. Smith remained at St. Louis with a
part of his command until our return from northern
Missouri.

From here we started out tramping- ag-ain without
rest. As Price passed through the country he took all
the stock and kept his men remounted with fresh
horses and mules. We could not overtake him in the
pursuit. On our route we passed through Sedalia,
California, Otterville and other small places, and con-
tinued the pursuit as far as Warrensburg, some thirty
miles west, and south of Kansas City. Here Price gave
up his trip to the north and turned back to the south-
west. What little cavalry we had followed him, and
had several lively skirmishes. Had we have had
Grierson's cavalrv we would have soon made short
work of that long and tedious campaign.

We remained at Warrensburg two or three days
for a little needed rest, then returned to Jefferson
City, arriving there November 5th or (>th.

On the 7th we held an election, exercising* the
right Wisconsin gave her soldiers in the field, we cast
our votes for either Lincoln or McClellcn. This was
a cold rainv da v.

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28 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

The next day we were off for St. Louis, stopping"
at Herman, on the Missouri River, long- enough for the
boys to shake the town up. They fond every wine cellar
and inspected a lot of sanitary supplies, for which sev-
eral of the boys were rather too severely punished.

The next morning, the Fourteenth was ordered on
dress parade and several non-commissioned officers
were reduced to the ranks at the time. I was a young-
Corporal, and if I remember rightly, was one among"
those reduced. Soon after at Nashville I was made a
big" Sergxant, so that was good evidence that I did not
do anything' at Herman.

From here we went to St. Louis and were quar-
tered for a few days at the old barracks at the Fair
Grounds. Some changes had taken place since we
camped here, in our big* Sibly tents early in 1862, for a
few davs, when on our way south. During our stay
here we were treated nicely by our officers and were
permitted to go into the city as often as we desired.
If they did not permit us. we went all the same. Here
let me say that the Fourteenth Wisconsin never had
anv reason to complain about its officers. We even
soon learned to love Old Paducah. who was at one time
our Adjutant.

November 25th. we marched to the landing and
embarked on transports. The 25th was national
turkey day. no turkey tor lis, but on the levee we con-
fiscated a lot o( Treorge Washington pies. The ped-
lers were Italians and it was all right.

Smith's command, now all <>n board, went down
the Mississippi, up the < >hio :md Cumberland Rivers,
passing Cape Girardeau. Cairo and Paducah, bound for

FROM RED RIVER TO NASHVILLE. 29

Nashville, a cold cheerless ride. To be packed away
on over-crowded transports at that season of the year
was far from being- comfortably quartered. The most
of our regiment were located on the hurricane deck,
with no opportunity to cook our rations, and barely a
chance to make a little coffee, and that from river water
as thick as mush. This trip was a tough one. We were
obliged to wrap our blankets closely around us, and
then failed to keep warm, no covering- save the heavens
above, and sleeting- and snowing- most of the time.
During- our long- service, at no time were we more
exposed to the elements, and without any possible
opportunity to help our condition. Marching- over

9

rough, dust}* and dry roads, wading streams or cordu-
roying through swamps, in heat and storm was a
picnic when compared with this mode of traveling.-
We were pretty badly wrecked when we finally landed
at Nashville. A few of our officers had the best of us
when on a transport, as they usual ly occupied the
cabin. On land we generally made ourselves as com-
fortable as the}*, but on this trip however they were
not feasting- on luxuries, for the cabin was not in the
best of trim, and at this stag-e of the war steamboat-
men showed very little respect for army officers. It
had become an old case with them. Private soldiers
and officers were classed alike, except that the former
were favored with the inside of the cabin and the lat-
ter the outside, which made quite a difference in cold,
stormy weather. I presume you have long since for-
gotten our sufferings on this journey to Nashville.
This was no moonligmt picnic excursion, such as I hope
you have often enjoyed since and will many years yet

30 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN.

to come. When you think of your sufferings for your "
country, do not forget your six days' ride from St. Louis
to Nashville. We arrived there December 1st, and met
our long-wandering comrades, Worden's battalion,
which had not been with us- since we returned from our
veteran furlough, and who had just arrived from At-
lanta with Thomas's army. It seemed that Sherman
could not venture on his campaign to Atlanta without
the Fourteenth Wisconsin, and as he could not secure
all the regiment, secured enough to take Atlanta. The
two wings of the regiment were now together once
more, except Company E. This company continued
with Sherman to the Sea and through the Carolinas,
finally taking* part in the grand parade of our victori-
ous armies at Washington, after which the company
was sent to the regiment, and joined us at Montgom-
ery. Each told their big war stories. Worden's men
may have been in greater battles, but Colonel Ward's
crowd discounted them on the march and some to spare.
However Company E still maintains that they done the
most marching and put down the rebellion.

We are now entering the defense and battle of
Nashville, in which the Fourteenth took an active part,
and at our next re-union let us have a paper on the
Fourteenth Wisconsin from December 1st to October
^th. from Nashville to Mobile, of the part taken by the
regiment that has inscribed upon its banners, '* Battles
fought from one end of the Confederacy to the other."

In the accompanying illustration I leave the regi-
ment on the extreme right and on the advance line.
building a line of earthworks for the defense of Nash-
ville, Hood then in our immediate front.

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STATISTICS.

The following was compiled from the official com-
pany records of the Fourteenth Wisconsin Veteran
Volunteer Infantry :

Company

r.

v

A

| 8

, 16

18

26

3

27

i 106

68

B

i 14

21

23

37

3

29

' 103

82

C

: 13

33

15

28

14

3>3

I 101

84

D

! 9

17

16

25

11

J<7

; 97

63

E

1 10

26

11

21

3

23

: 104

66

F

1 13

33

17

30

11

18

, 95

77

G

! 12

13
20

21
33

33

40

7

31

27

96
i 107

74

H

\ 7

86

I

.....| 11

23

24

35

7

22

90

73

K

: 14

31

19

33

5

; 24

98

78

Total

Ill

233

197

308

71

256

i 997

1

751

Total loss of regiment 751

Total loss of recruits 123

Loss of orig-inal regiment 628

Number of original regiment mustered out October, 1865 369

Of this number, 117 received wounds 117

Leaving without injury 252

Loss of Field and Staff Officers, by death 3

Loss of Field and Staff Officers, by disability 4

LIST OF ENGAGEMENTS PARTICIPATED IN.

Shiloh. Tupelo.

Iuka. Ezra Chapel.

Corinth. Old Town Creek.

Vicksburgf. Fort Blakely.

Fort DeRussv. Spanish Fort.

Pleasant Hill Landing'. Rivers Bri'dgfe.
Clouterville. Nashville.

Cane River. Augusta.

Marksville, Camanjo Cross Roads.
Kennesaw Mountain. Love joy's Station.

Yellow Bayou. Jonesboro.

Ackworth. Atlanta.

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THE FOURTEENTH

Wisconsin Vet. Vol.. Infantry,

October 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th, 1862,

AT THE

Battle of Corinth

♦

- - BY

Sergeant \V. H. Tucker,

Company D.

^.

Read at Regimental Re-union, Fond du Lac, Wis
June 13th, 14th and 15th,
1893.

INDIANAPOLIS:

ENGLE & SON. PRINTERS AND BINDEKS,
16 NORTH DELAWARE STREET,

1893.

The Fourteenth Wisconsin
AT CORINTH.

September, 1862, finds the Fourteenth Wisconsin
in camp two miles southwest of Corinth in a nice belt
of timber,* pleasantly located, after having- done fa-
tigue and all kinds of duty at Pittsburg- Landing- and
Hamburg-, on the Tennessee River, since the battle of
Shiloh, in which the Fourteenth, in its charge on the
New Orleans battery, covered itself all over with gloiw
and established the fact that ours was a fig-hting regi-
ment, and no better ever went into line of battle.

During- the month of September we had taken an
active part in the Iuka campaign, the battle of Iuka
having been fought on September 19th, and are sent
out on several expeditions to secure what forage we
might find, and to watch the enemy if any should
have designs on Corinth. When in camp our time
was passed in doing camp and picket duty. Our reg-
iment was now reduced to three hundred and fifty
men. Up to this time our loss from killed, wounded,
died of disease and discharged from disability had
been frightful. Early in the previous March we
left old Camp Wood, here at Fond du Lac, and bid
adieu to dear ones and home, and faced southwards

4 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

with nine hundred and ninety-seven men, nearly all
beardless hoys, going to fight the battles of our coun-
try and to follow the old flag* to victory.

October 1st, about two o'clock in the afternoon,
the long- roll is sounded and all is astir in camp, and
with sixty rounds of ammunition and three days
rations we are hurried off on a forced march to the
northwest, taking- the Che walla wagon road, in the
direction of Chewalla, a small station twelve miles dis-
tant on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, under
the command of Colonel J. M. Oliver of the Fifteenth
Michigan. Our brig-ade consisted of the Fourteenth
Wisconsin, 'Fifteenth Michigan, Eighteenth Wisconsin,
four companies of the Eighteenth Missouri, one com-
pany of Illinois cavalry in command of Captain Ford,
and two pieces of the First Minnesota Battery.

The Fifteenth Michigan was stationed at Che-
walla, as an outpost, having- been there several days.
On the evening- of September 30th, their picket line
was fired upon and driven in by an unknown number
of Johnnies, who appeared to be organized and advanc-
ing" towards Corinth. On our arrival near Chewalla
we found the Michigan boys badly broken up and with
their camp equipage making- for a more friendly coun-
try. At first we were enclined to be some what sur-
prised at them for being- in so much of a hurry to
move from that locality. At this time it was supposed
by our command that it was nothing- more than a
stragling band of bush whackers, which were fre-
quently prowling- around our outposts. The Michigan
boys insisted, however, that they were ready to remain
with us, and that we would have all the fun we

AT THE BATTLE OF CORINTH. 5

wanted in the morning, if not before. It was now
about sundown, and about half a mile from Chewalla,
and about a mile from where they had encamped. We
were ordered to halt for the night and put out a
strong- picket line in advance. We then placed the
two pieces of artillery in the roadway, and formed our
line to the rig-ht and left of the road.

During- the night our pickets could very plainly
hear what seemed to be artillerv and wagrms moving-,
and in the distance see what appeared to be lights
from camp fires. We could not estimate the enemy's
streng-th. It did not, however, seem possible that an
army of any great importance was in that vicinity, as
but a few days before, the only rebel army that was
known to be in Mississippi, had, under Price, been
badly whipped at Iuka. Still all indications very
clearly showed that there was an army in force in our
front.

The count ry around was rolling and covered with
considerable timber, with occasionally an opening
where small corn, cotton and sweet potato fields were
cultivated, this being* the g-enerai character of the
country for several miles around Corinth.

Our men on picket were very vigilant and every
man was prepared for an}* emergency.

At early dawn, Thursday, October 2d, this being-
my nineteenth birthday, it looked as though it was to
be celebrated. The enemy began their advance and
as their skirmish line moved up our picket line was re-
inforced and a good skirmish line thrown out, but a^
the Johnnies advanced and showed up a formidable
line, our boys began to fall back. It was not policy

6 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

to bring on an engagement, but to make them cautiously
feel their way. We, however, continued to fall back,
as their line was much stronger than ours, and unless
we fell back they would pass our flanks on the right
and left. From the time that they made their appear-
ance in the early morning, our line continued a bold
front and contested every foot of ground. We did not
bring our artillery into prominent action, fearing that
with our little command, not over seven hundred strong,
we might bring on more trouble than we could care
for. By sundown we had fallen back to within three
miles of Corinth, here we haulted for the night, or to
move further back if the Johnnies should advance and
require our moving. Nearly our whole command was
on picket duty all night, those that were not laid on
their arms. As soon as daylight made its appearance
the enemy began their advance. Our skirmish line
made a determined effort to hold our position with a
view of developing if possible their strength. In our
immediate rear there was a swamp, Cane Creek run-
ning through the center, our command was obliged to
fall back by the roadway, as the swamp was impassa-
ble. In crossing the bridge one of our cannon became
disabled and before we could cross the Johnnies came
up the roadway in strong force, the cannon was spiked
and left. It was now about seven o'clock, a bright
October morning, everything now indicated that some
thing must soon be done or we would be driven into
Corinth.

The army under Rosencrans, who was in com-
mand of the forces, was, it appeared, quietly resting
in their camps in and around the town and, it seemed,

AT THE BATTLE OF CORINTH. /

knew nothing about the approaching" enemy, which
consisted of the combined divisions of Van Dorn,
Price, Bowen, Villepegne, Rust and Armstrong-, Van
Dorn in command of the united forces.

Having- passed the swamp, our skirmish line again
deployed to the rig-ht and left of the road and slowly
fell back across the Memphis and Charleston Railroad,
about half a mile to a wooded ridg-e. Orders now
came from Rosecrans, it being- about ten o'clock A. M.,
after Oliver having- repeatedly sent him dispatches
that the enemy were advancing- on Corinth in force,
however, he did not appear to credit Oliver's reports
and was slow to believe the facts, and the order to
hold the ridg-e at all hazzards indicated that he had
come to the conclusion that we were contending- with
more than, as he supposed, a hand full of bush
whackers.

At the ridg-e we formed our line of battle to the
right and left of the road with our artillery in the road-
wav. Another brigade now came out and formed on
our left flank. Our skirmish line was doing- some line
work, but were soon driven in, and, with additional
streng-th, was sent out ag-ain, but was quickly driven
back and reported the enemy massing- their columns
along- the railroad and to the rig-ht and left of the
wag-on road in our front. The time had now come
when some iig-hting- must be done if we attempted to
hold the ridg-e. Our skirmish line held them back as
long- as they could, but their line kept advancing" in good
shape. We were now ordered to lay down in an old
rifle pit thrown up by Beauriguard in the spring- before
he evacuated Corinth. It would have been far better

8 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

had that ditch never existed, as it was below the brow
of the ridg-e and proved to be a death trap for our
regiment, it being" on the side facing* the enemy, when
within a short distance, not over one hundred and fifty
yards, they started on the double quick, our boys fired
volley after volley into their ranks. Our artillery, the
First Minnesota Battery, an additional section of the
battery having- re-inforced us at the ridg*e, opened out
effectively with grape and cannister. They met with
a heavy loss and were forced to fall back, but soon
reformed and re-inforced, and made another desperate
charge up the ridge, the Twenty-second Mississippi
in the advance and immediately in front of the Four-
teenth Wisconsin, their loss at this point was over five
hundred in killed and wounded. Bowen's brig-ade of
I/ovell's division was in our immediate front. The
support on our rigfht and left now having* fallen back,
we were forced to yield the rifle pit, but before falling-
back from the ridg*e our reg*iment lost in killed,
wounded and taken prisoners, nearly one half of out-
number.

On October 1st, before leaving- camp an extra
strong* detail for grand g*uard duty had been made
from our reg-iment, which left us only 225 men in line
on the morning*- of October 3d. Our loss was as fol-
lows: killed, 27; wounded, 51; prisoners, 21; Total, 99.
The entire loss of the brigade was killed, 45;
wounded, 108; missing*, 38; Total, 191. Which clearly
shows that the Fourteenth was in the thickest of the
fig-lit.

The contest at the ridge lasted some forty min-
utes. Our color bearers and the entire color guard

AT THE BATTLE OF CORINTH. 9

were cither killed or wounded. For a moment it was
supposed that our colors were lost, but they were
saved, though badly riddled with minnie balls.

We fell back from the ridge, leaving" our dead and
wounded in the enemy's hands. It was. at this point
that Sergeant Major Johnnie Read came up with a
supply of much needed ammunition and deliberately
walked into the rebel ranks. Poor Read, a noble and
brave soldier, since gone to the silent camping grounds.

We had not fallen back but a short distance until
we met McArthur's brigade of our, McKean's, Sixth
Division. As we passed through their line and re-
formed we began to realize how badly we had been
cut up and that the greater part of the regiment was
either dead wounded or prisoners in the enemy's
hands.

Had Oliver's command not niade the. brave and
determined stand it did, and held the enemy in check,
enabling our troops in and around Corinth to be
brought out in line of battle, the results of the battle
would have been different than what it was. There
was no question of doubt but that the character of the
advancing enemy was unknown to Resecraus, though
he had had from Oliver two days notice, and the infor-
mation was repeatedly sent to him. The rebel forces,
according to Van Dorn's report, were twenty-eight
thousand well armed and in good shape.

The Fifteenth Michigan and the Fourteenth and
Eighteenth Wisconsin were highly complimented in
General Orders.

Some of our boys who were taken prisoners saw
the reports of the battle in a Mississippi paper, in

10 rHE FOURTKKNTH WISCONSIN

which the statement was made that even the Four-
teenth Wisconsin, that had never turned its back to
the foe had to succumb to the valor of the Twenty-
second Mi>si^sippi. That may be conceded, but not
until our support had entirely given way, and the
enemy were past our rig*ht and left Hanks. It was at
the ridge where General McArthur rode up and saw
our regiment under fire, since which time he has ever
been a strong admirer of our regiment, and never lost
an opportunity to bestow upon us all that could be said
of soldiers, and in all our future campaigns he was a
strong- friend of our regiment. Compliments from so
brave and able a g-eneral as Mc Arthur was, were such
as we may well feel proud of.

What was left of our little command was not in a
very good shape for the rest of the third day of Octo-
ber. Soon the fighting- took place along* the entire
line and our army was pressed back, and nig'ht found
our troops all hugging- close around Corinth, and our
regiment in line on the northwest side of the city.

During the night the enemy located their artillery
close up to our lines and before daylight opened out in
line shape, throwing their shells mostly over our lines
into Corinth. Our boys being- completely worn out,
paid very little attention to the shells, and escaped
any loss from this artillery fire. As soon as it was
light the rattle of musketry began. They were
flushed with >ucces>> from the previous day and opened
up bravely. We now lay in line a little to the right
of the Chewalla road. A little before sunrise we
moved to the left, to the southwest of Corinth, and
clo>,e up to the Corona College building, our regi

//

■
St

THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN IN LINE AT CORONA
COLLEGE, OCTOBER 4TH.

12 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

ment laying- immediately between that building and
the Tishemingo House, which was at the crossing" of
the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and the Mobile
and Ohio Railroad. Our line at this time was the
reserve line and did not get into action that da}\ The
main battle was fought over to our rig-ht where we
had moved from in the morning*, the hardest fig-hting-
was done on the Chewalla road at a point half or three-
quarters of a mile from the Tisheming-o House.

The most fierce assault made during* the day was
on Fort Robinett, which was located to our rig-ht on
the Chewalla road. It was at this point that Colonel
Rog-ers, with his celebrated Texas brig'ade, made his
desperate charg-e up the Chewalla road and planted
his flag- on Robinet. Here brave Rog-ers fell. The
charg-e was made in full view of our regiment, about
four hundred yards distant. It was a grand sight,
and one never to be forgotten. The Texas brig-ade
was slaug-htered. Litterally cut to pieces. Over one-
half of their number lav dead and wounded in the
ditch around Robinet.

A part of their line, further to the rig-ht, made a
desperate charg-e and broke through our lines, they
were, however, nearly all taken prisoners and the
charge was repulsed. This was about two o'clock in
the afternoon and practically ended the battle.

We had gained a complete victory, their lines had
been repulsed at every point with great loss, and in a
demoralized condition began their retreat, leaving
their dead and wounded on the held.

From all the reports that I have been able to
g'ather, our total strength was less* than fifteen thou-

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14 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

sand. On the iirst day, the third of October, we did
not have ten thousand men in line of battle. We were
outnumbered more than two to one in the fight. The
only advantage we had was a small line of rifle pits,
which had been thrown up a few days before, that
o-ave our men a partial cover. This line of rifle pits
surrounded the town and was our last defense.

Soon after their retreat, Rosecrans, with his
staff, rode along- the entire line and halting" at each
regiment, announced the great victory. This was
taken up with a cheer, and all felt happy at the results.

A persuit was ordered, and the next morning-,
October 5th, with five days rations, we were after
them. Our division, now in command of McArthur,
McKean having- been placed in command of Corinth,
going- out the Chewalla road and over that part of the
battle field where we had made our stand on the morn-
ing- of the third. As we passed the ridge where so
many of our brave boys fell, the sight was appalling-,
and until now we did not know who were killed: and
who were wounded. The dead nearly all lay close to
the road, and we passed directly by them. In nearly
every case they had been robbed of their clothing* and,
having been dead two days, they were in a horrid con-
dition. Details were sent from each company to mark
as far as possible, cards with their names, so that they
might be identified when they should be burried.

A little further on, as we passed the swamp before
refered to, we there found the most of our wounded,
where they had been taken and cared for by the enemy
as best they could. The ambulance corps was soon
brought up and the wounded taken to Corinth. We

1757937

If) THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

passed on without halting*. Details were sent out from
the regiment to look for our lost comrades.

After marching some five miles we were halted
for about three hours. We heard cannonading- and
the distant sound of musketry, but could not positively
determine in which direction the firing was, whether
in front, rear or on our flanks, but believed it to be in
our front, and from the way the Generals and their
staffs were hustling*, first one way and then another, I
don't think they were any better posted than the rank
and file. The boys generally understood the situation
pretty well. Xo army was ever marshalled to battle
that had the intelligence that our volunteer army pos-
sessed, and we generally knew what was going- on.
Frequently we were better posted than our command-
ers were. While laying in the road way, anxious to
move on to the front, we were positive that there was
where the battle was being- fought, which proved to
be a fact. General Grant had sent General Hurlbert
round from Jackson with his division, and he had
intercepted Van Dorn's fleeing army at the Hatchie
River and there was giving- them battle, whipping
them and driving them back toward Corinth. They
came back some two miles and took' another road for
the south. During this lighting at the Hatchie, had
our command been moved forward, not over two miles,
we would have reached the forks of the road and
headed them off, and there is no question of doubt but
that Van Dorn's entire army would have been capt-
ured, as the country on either side was rough and they
could not have stood another battle.

After it was too late and Van Dorn had gotten out

AT THE BATTLE OF CORINTH. 17

of reach we moved on and continued the pursuit some
forty miles, to Riply, Mississippi, where we halted for
a rest, and were then marched back to Corinth, arriv-
ing1 at our old camp October 13th, our cavalry pursuing-
the enemy some miles further south.

In the retreat the enemy in their flight smashed
their wagrms, and we found them scattered along- the
route. A great many prisoners were taken in the
pursuit, and many stands of small arms, which had
been thrown down along- the road way.

Soon after our return to Corinth, our division
under Mc Arthur, was, with other troops, ordered to
join Grant, -who had started for a grand move through
central Mississippi, expecting" to unite with Sherman,
who had gone down the Mississippi River to Vicks-
burg'. This central Mississippi campaign was a long-
and tedious one. We went a few miles south of
Oxford, and were only about four days march from
Vicksburg". Now, disaster comes. Colonel Murphy,
of the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, had been left in
command at Holly Spring's, where we had accumulated
a larg'e amount of supplies and ammunition, and held
the place as our base of supplies. Forrest comes along
and makes an attack, Murphy makes no defence, and
Holly Spring's is lost and our supplies all destroyed.
Grant orders the column to about face, and we march
north. To say that our troops were disg*usted would
not do justice to our case. Had Murphy, with his
ample command, have done his duty and foug'ht For-
rest, our army would have formed the junction with
Sherman and Vicksburg" would have then fallen an
ea>y prey. We marched on, day after day, and

IS THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN.

reached Memphis, arriving there in a snow storm,
for that climate, cold and disagreeable.

After a few days delay, we took transports, down
the Mississippi River to Lake Providence, a few miles
above Vicksbury. At this point and at points further
down the river, Grant was concentrating his forces
for the final move on Vicksbur^", a campaign in which
the Fourteenth Wisconsin took an active part, being
assigned to that famous brigade under General Ran-
som, Mc Arthur's, Sixth Division, McPherson's, Sev-
enteenth Army Corps.

I now leave the glorious old regiment in camp on
the banks of Lake Providence, near McPherson's
headquarters. Let the campaign and seige of Vicks-
burg- be prepared for our next reunion.

Extracts from Reports.

Major General Rosecrans in his official report on
the battle of Corinth, reports the enemy's loss as
follows: Officers and men killed, 1,423; wounded,
5,692; captured, prisoners, 2,268: stands of colors, 14;
pieces of artillery, 2; stands small arms, 3,300; a large
lot of ammunition and accrutements. Our loss:
killed, 315; wounded, 1,812; prisoners and missing',

General John McKean in his official report, dated
October 30, 1862, speaking- of our brigade* says: "Of
Colonel Oliver, commanding- Second Brigade, which
received the Hrst attack of the enemy is entitled to
great credit, charged with one of the most embarass-
\n<x duties that could be entrusted to an officer, that of
opposing with energy the advance of an enemy, and
yet retiring slowly when overpowered with over-
whelming numbers, was a task involving a tax at the
same time upon his judgment; skill and bravery. A
veteran could not have done better or accomplished
more."

Extract from General John Mc Arthur's official

report, dated Corinth, October 15th, 1862, though at

20 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

the time of the battle he was not in command of the
division, then commanding only a brigade of our
division. In his report, says: ;t I would also call the
attention of the General commanding to the efficient
services rendered by Colonel Oliver's brigade, in their
persevering- efforts to check the enemy's advance, har-
rassing- and delaying- their attack, thereby gaining" time
and putting- the enemy's already exausted commisary
supples to a severe test."

Colonel J. M. Oliver, commanding Second Brig--
ade, Sixth Division, in his report, to the General com-
manding- Sixth Division, Thomas J. McKean, dated
October 13th, 18(>2, speaking- of the Fourteenth Wis-
consin, reports as follows:

"Colonel Hancock and his reg-iment, the Four-
teenth Wisconsin Volunteers, there was no discount
on, always' steady, cool and vig-orous, this regiment
was the one to rely upon in any emergency, thoug-h
suffering- more than any regiment in the command,
they maintained their lines and delivered their fire with
all the coolness and and precision which could have
been maintained upon drill.

" To the Second Brigade of your division is the
honor due of checking- the advance of the rebel host
for a whole day, and by their bitter fight on Friday
forenoon enabling- other commands to take their posi-
tions, forcing- the enemy to that point which destroyed
their morals and changed a line army, flushed with the
anticipation oi a speedy victorv. into a Hying", disor-
ganized mob, wild with defeat and frantic with terror.

AT THE BATTLE OF CORINTH. 21

k'I desire also to call your attention to the death
of Captain Vaughn of the Fourteenth Wisconsin, who
fell at the end of the old line of the enemy's rifle pits,
nobly supported by Captain Harrison of the same reg-
iment, they steadily held the line of skirmishers on
right and in our front at the foot of the ridge where
we had the fierce light on the Friday morning, Octo-
ber 3d.

44 Captain Harrison lost a leg, Captain Vaughn
gave his life for his country. First Lieutenant Sam-
uel A. Tinkham, Company B, Fourteenth Wisconsin,
promoted for meritorious conduct at Shiloh, at the
same time deserves honorable mention for his services.
Captain Asa Worden, Company B, and First Lieuten-
ant E. B. Ferris, Company A, also of the Fourteenth
Wisconsin, particularly distinguished for their cool-
ness and bravery, were wounded while in the active
discharge of their duties."

Extract from Major General Earl Van Dorn's
official report on the battle of Corinth, dated Holly
Springs, Mississippi, October 20th, 1862, says:

tk I had a reasonable hope of success. My strength
was over twenty-eight thousand effective men.
Rosecrans did not have over fifteen thousand, with
perhaps less than eight thousand additional men
guarding out posts from twelve to twenty miles dis-
tant from Corinth. I might surprise him ami carry
the place before these troops could be brought in. My
troops were in tine spirits and the whole army of West
Tennessee seemed eager for the campaign. No army

22 THE FOURTEENTH WISCONSIN

ever marched to battle with prouder steps, or more
hopeful countenance or with more courage than
marched the army of West Tennessee out of Ripley
on the morning- of September 29th on its way to
Corinth."

Van Dorn concludes his report by saying":
" The attempt at Corinth has failed, and in conse-
quence I am condemned and have been superseded. In
my zeal for my country I may have ventured to far
with inadequate means, and I bow to the opinion of
the people whom I serve. Yet, I feel that if the
spirits of the g-allant dead who now lie beneath the
batteries of Corinth see and judge the motives of men
they do not rebuke me, for there is no sting- in my con-
science, nor does retrospection admonish me of error
or of reckless disreg-ard of their valued lives/'

"I can not refrain, however, from mentioning-
here the conspicious g-allantry of a noble Texan, whose
deeds at Corinth are the constant theme of both friend
and foes; as long- as courag-e, manliness, fortitude,
patriotism and honor exists, the name of Rogers will
be revered and honored among- men. . He fell in the
front of battle, and died beneath the colors of his reg-
iment, in the very center of the enemy's strong-hold.
He sleeps, and glory is his sentinel."

Extract from Major General Sterling- Price's
official report, dated Holly Springs. October 20th,
1S(>2, on the battle of Corinth, says:

4'The history of this war contains no bloodier
page than that which will record this fiercely contested

AT THE BATTLE OF CORINTH. 23

battle, the strongest expressions fall short of my ad-
miration of the gallant conduct of the officers and men

under my command. Words can not add luster to
the fame they have acquired through deeds of noble
daring which living through future time, will shed
about every man, officer and soldier, who stood to his
arms through this struggle a halo of glory as imper-
ishable as it is brilliant. They have won to their sis-
ters and daughters the disting-uised honor set before
them by a General of their love and admiration upon
the eve of an impending- battle upon the same field, of
the proud exclamation: 'my brother, father, was at
the great battle of Corinth.' "

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W. H. Tucker,

National Commander, Union Veteran Legion, 1893.

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